Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

[Steve G.]

OK, I've read all the archives and all the great info everyone has assembled on the letter markings and the words on the blade etc.

However, I have yet to answer this question or even hear it addressed: At the very end of the handle, Ive seen what I thought were original '63 dipsticks with a pointed, tapered tip and some with a flat edged tip.

Which, if either, is correct?

[Edward J.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

Steve, most of the 300hp engines I have seen have the flat end, but cannot say that the tapered end was not correct. maybe it another car line?? Someone like Joe L. maybe able to tell.

[Harry S.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

Well, I have two somewhat original 63's. One has the pointed end and the other a rounded end. None with the flat end. Both cars judged well. Never say never on a 63.

[Edward J.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

Harry, There must have been more than maker of Oil dip sticks for GM, and being that production of the small blocks likely did not vary much there were likely ordered by the tens of thousands at a time.

[Troy P.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

When in 63 did the dipsticks change...or did they not? I saw something indicating the super early 63's differed from the later cars.

Were all dipsticks painted black or were some chrome on high HP engines?

[Michael G.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

Original early L84 - B.C. (Before Chrome):

IMG_0251.jpg

[Joe L.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

I suspect the difference is due to different manufacturers of the same part. Of course, it's possible that only one manufacturer was used during the period that the dipstick was used in PRODUCTION and available in original SERVICE.

It might be possible to confirm the different manufacturer theory if there are manufacturer's ID marks on the dipsticks. For dipsticks, this is often a one alpha character code stamped on the blade.

[Michael G.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

If this question is part of an effort to find an original, good luck, this is one of the hardest parts to find, you'll look for years. You can buy a reproduction now that is very, very good, I'd suggest that route. If your car was made before December '62, you probably want black, in December, who knows, after January 1 or so, chrome for sure.

[Joe L.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

If this question is part of an effort to find an original, good luck, this is one of the hardest parts to find, you'll look for years. You can buy a reproduction now that is very, very good, I'd suggest that route. If your car was made before December '62, you probably want black, in December, who knows, after January 1 or so, chrome for sure.

Mike-------

With respect to the non-chrome dipsticks, there could be 2 involved. This may also explain the difference in the handle configuration seen. The original 1963 non-chrome dipstick was GM #3739830. Curiously, this was the same dipstick used on 1958-62 Corvettes even though they have a completely different oil pan configuration. It was also used for some truck applications. The 3739830 was discontinued from SERVICE and replaced by the GM #3847710 in May, 1964. Just when it began to be used in PRODUCTION I do not know.

[John D.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

Joe, I never knew the 63 dipstick was the same one used on '58 to 62 Corvettes. I seldom say this.
Especially to you Joe, but I respectfully disagree. The 63 dipstick has embossed: Add Full Engine Oil. Besides the add and full
The earlier dipstick does not have: Engine oil. Just add and full. They may be other differences also.

Just looked the at the repro listed in the Sept-Oct "Driveline" on page 50. Fortier states the same info on embossing info.
But his info on black versus chrome doesn't quite match Michael Hansons.

The following info came from Michael Hanson. he has paper work to back this up.

A chrome '63 dipstick did not appear on the St. Louis assembly line until 3 Jan. 63. Oil cap info is the same. 3 Jan.
Prior to that date, there were almost no chrome items on a '63 FI engine. The one exception would be the chrome forward balance tubes. Those two items became chrome in production slightly before the 3 Jan date because the tubes came from Rochester Products. They weren't items that were installed at St. Louis. Rochester switched over before St. Louis.

I searched for about 3 years for an original dipstick for my 63, the LWC. I bought a ton of them that were incorrect. I won't tell you all how much bucks I paid for that stick.

Joe Lucia taught us long ago that the dipstick handle was called the "Hilt". Right Joe?

Steve, Look below for earlier post on the '63 dipstick.
Don't use the dipstick tube over if you can avoid it. Once its removed it's history.
Unless you glue the thing in. Been there. My '63 was at it's first show in Marlborough. I found out before the car was judged that if you yanked the dipstick out the tube came out with it. So to be very nice to the judges and help them out I personally removed the original tube for bragging rights and stuck it back in myself.

[Joe L.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

Joe, I never knew the 63 dipstick was the same one used on '58 to 62 Corvettes. I seldom say this.
Especially to you Joe, but I respectfully disagree. The 63 dipstick has embossed: Add Full Engine Oil. Besides the add and full
The earlier dipstick does not have: Engine oil. Just add and full. They may be other differences also.

Just looked the at the repro listed in the Sept-Oct "Driveline" on page 50. Fortier states the same info on embossing info.
But his info on black versus chrome doesn't quite match Michael Hansons.

The following info came from Michael Hanson. he has paper work to back this up.

A chrome '63 dipstick did not appear on the St. Louis assembly line until 3 Jan. 63. Oil cap info is the same. 3 Jan.
Prior to that date, there were almost no chrome items on a '63 FI engine. The one exception would be the chrome forward balance tubes. Those two items became chrome in production slightly before the 3 Jan date because the tubes came from Rochester Products. They weren't items that were installed at St. Louis. Rochester switched over before St. Louis.

I searched for about 3 years for an original dipstick for my 63, the LWC. I bought a ton of them that were incorrect. I won't tell you all how much bucks I paid for that stick.

Joe Lucia taught us long ago that the dipstick handle was called the "Hilt". Right Joe?

Steve, Look below for earlier post on the '63 dipstick.
Don't use the dipstick tube over if you can avoid it. Once its removed it's history.
Unless you glue the thing in. Been there. My '63 was at it's first show in Marlborough. I found out before the car was judged that if you yanked the dipstick out the tube came out with it. So to be very nice to the judges and help them out I personally removed the original tube for bragging rights and stuck it back in myself.

John------

Features like you describe could have changed without there being a change in part number. In any event, GM says that the part number used for 1958-62 Corvettes was the same as that used for 1963 Corvettes (except those equipped with chrome dipstick).

I do not recall saying that the dipstick handle was referred to as the "hilt".

[Michael G.]

Re: Another '63 Dipstick question? Seriously?

The chrome introduction date has been blurred a lot since 1963. Chrome dresses things up, so I think a bunch of early cars got chrome added by their restorers or owners on various components over the years. While I think Michael Hansen got the date of the change correct, I've seen very few early cars with black dipsticks lately...